Volunteer roles in london

Filling Good is a community-led sustainable retail community benefit society on a mission to reduce waste, promote ethical consumption, and support local, eco-conscious producers. Based in Maidenhead, we are passionate about empowering our members and customers to live more sustainably. As a co-operative, we are owned and governed by our members and guided by values of fairness, transparency, and social impact.

We are looking for volunteer retail assistants to help run the shop. The shifts are from 9.45 am until 1.45 pm or 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm and we are open Tuesday to Saturday 10 - 5 (and on Sundays but shorter hours).  You will be serving customers, refilling food dispensers, receiving and processing deliveries, liaising with other volunteers and helping make Maidenhead residents follow a more sustainable lifestyle.

Volunteering in the shop will entitle you to a discount on your shopping and you will meet lots of other environmentally friendly, lovely people.

Feel free to pop in for an informal chat or if you have any other questions

Do you want to make a real difference?

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a difference in their community. No prior experience is needed, as we provide full training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

• Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:
• Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.
• Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.
• Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.
• Accepting donations from members of the public, speaking to the donors and asking them a few questions..
• Following clear instructions to label donations in order to maximise income.
• This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety training to all volunteers.

The skills you need

• We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering
• Full training and support is given for this role - no prior experience is required
• Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others
• Happy to speak with other people, and follow instructions to complete a task

What's in it for you

• Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to understand what is covered)
• Access to training and development
• Grow your confidence and meet new people
• Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle
• Free confidential support by the Retail Trust
• Possible references for future employers

A role more involved than the title suggests! The Operations team are the ‘engine under the hood’ of Humanists UK, performing much of the administrative work that keeps the organisation running smoothly. 

By volunteering with the team, you will be directly supporting our campaigns, community work, and charitable services, helping to create a fairer, kinder, more rational society.

The tasks you complete from week to week may vary depending on the needs of the team, but a typical shift could look like this:

You might start by opening the incoming post and processing incoming donations made by cheque and card, ensuring our members’ and donors’ generosity is put to good use without delay. You will scan received Gift Aid declarations, adding an extra 25% to each donation’s value – an invaluable boost to a small but influential charity such as ours. 

You will help us keep our member and supporter database records up-to-date and accurate, making sure our outreach efforts are as accurate and effective as possible.

If you have a good eye for organisation, we might ask you to help keep on top of our stationery and office supply needs, in addition to some light tidying to keep our office a welcoming, professional environment for visitors and staff alike. (And if you’re green-fingered, then even better – our perennially neglected plants need all the help they can get!)

You may then move to preparing stall and enquiry packs, which are a vital resource for promoting humanism through our events and dedicated wider network Humanists UK people.

To wrap up your day, you could frank the small (or not so small, if the Christmas card rush is upon us) stack of out-going letters and parcels, and pop them in the nearest postbox on your way home. 

And, of course, while working through your tasks, you are welcome to help yourself to our virtually endless supply of tea, coffee, and biscuits.

Key tasks include:

• Opening and processing incoming post

• Inputting forms and processing received donations 

• Preparing and sending shop orders (including a busy Christmas Card rush in November/December), enquiry packs, and stall packs

• Franking and posting out-going mail

• Updating member and supporters records 

• Scanning and printing

• Preparing name badges and events materials

• General office maintenance such as tidying work areas, watering plants, clearing cupboards

• Checking and counting stock

• Reviewing online and paper resources

• Ad hoc office duties

You’ll ideally have good administrative, IT, and organisation skills, and be able to work well in a team and also unsupervised. However, the variability of this role means that we can work to your strengths - and support you to learn new skills where needed!

You may have skills from your work, studies, or volunteering that lend themselves well to this role. You can see the role as an opportunity to improve in these areas in a friendly, encouraging, and stimulating environment.

You will be supportive of the aims of Humanists UK and willing to give one to two hours a week to the role. Some knowledge and understanding of humanism is helpful, but not essential. You can learn more about what we do on our website.

The position is based at Humanists UK’s London office in Islington.

Do you want to make a real difference?

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:

Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!

Increase Your Skills: If you have a particular interest, you can build on it to gain valuable retail experience to add to your CV, such as merchandising, customer service, and teamwork.

Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.

Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.

Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!

What happens next?

After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do help out. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in care. You will meet once or twice a month to take them out to do fun activities together. This is an opportunity for our young people to develop a healthy relationship with a trusted adult, have fun and share their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.

We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff. 

This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and test yourself with real life experience of a young person in care.

We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times. We will be providing training on the following subjects.

Session 1 Introduction to IV and the Care system
Session 2 Trauma, Attachment and Growth
Session 3 Safeguarding
Session 4 Communications and Boundaries
Session 5 The Role Of The IV

Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in care. You will meet once or twice a month to take them out to do fun activities together. This is an opportunity for our young people to develop a healthy relationship with a trusted adult, have fun and share their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.

We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff. 

This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and test yourself with real life experience of a young person in care.

We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times. We will be providing training on the following subjects.

Session 1 Introduction to IV and the Care system
Session 2 Trauma, Attachment and Growth
Session 3 Safeguarding
Session 4 Communications and Boundaries
Session 5 The Role Of The IV

We are currently looking for a personal assistant to the charity's chair person.

Responsibilities typically include: 

· Acting as a first point of contact for enquiries: (email/calendar management and managing diaries 

· Typing, compiling, and preparing reports, presentations, and correspondence. 

· Miscellaneous tasks to support the Chair

· Forming a relationship with our clients as they are part of the community. 

Essential skills for this role are: 

· Organisation skills: The ability to prioritise tasks, manage time, and keep track of deadlines is crucial.  

· Communication skills: should be able to communicate effectively in writing. 

· Attention to detail: the ability to pick up on small details can prevent costly mistakes from occurring. 

· Problem-solving skills: the ability to identify and resolve problems quickly and efficiently.  

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause. The organisation has a warm and friendly atmosphere and will be extremely rewarding for the candidate. 

We are seeking a Director and Chair of Trustees Designate to help shape the future direction of our organisation. We are looking for an individual with proven senior leadership experience - ideally, though not necessarily, within the third sector - who can bring strong strategic thinking, sound judgement, and a collaborative leadership style.

Hours: Variable – depending on individual circumstances and what people can do

Location: Variable – we are looking to extend our reach of peer support walks throughout Yorkshire

Main Tasks:

We appreciate any volunteering help that you can offer YBTC and want to make sure that our

volunteers have a positive experience with us. We pledge to support you as much as we can.

We want to ensure that volunteering with us does not feel too daunting, so the exact tasks might

vary depending on your circumstances. However, some typical tasks may include:

· Support our regular wellbeing/peer support walks

· Welcome participants and help them feel comfortable, fostering a friendly and inclusive atmosphere

· Encourage conversations among participants, offering a listening ear

· Be attentive to the well-being of all participants during the walk

· Offer information on YBTC services

· Attending occasional training sessions or volunteer meetings organised by YBTC

We are looking for people who are:

· Are warm and non-judgemental

· Reliability – are punctual and committed to scheduled walks

· Collaborative mindset to work effectively with staff and volunteers

· Basic physical fitness to complete the walks, awareness of the needs of participants with

different mobility/health conditions

We can offer you the following:

· Full induction and ongoing training

· Ongoing support and supervision in your role

· Opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people

· The satisfaction of making a positive impact on those affected by brain tumours

Background

Founded in 2003 and originally named Andrea’s Gift and later Brain Tumour Research and Support

Across Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) is Yorkshire and Humber’s leading

brain tumour charity. Offering practical, financial and emotional support to both adult and child

brain tumour patients, together with their families.

We fund brain tumour research in Yorkshire; we hope this research, dedicated to identifying new

approaches to the discovery and treatment of brain tumours will improve outcomes for patients.

At YBTC we are a small team who are growing to meet the needs of those affected by a brain

tumour in Yorkshire. Around 15 new cases of primary brain tumours are diagnosed in the region

every week.

Our charity values are: Integrity, Compassion, Community & Ambition.

Our Vision/Mission

To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire through local support and research.

We appreciate any volunteering help that you can offer YBTC and want to make sure that our

volunteers have a positive experience with us. We pledge to support you as much as we can.

We want to ensure that volunteering with us does not feel too daunting, so the exact tasks might

vary depending on your circumstances. However, some typical tasks may include:

· Asking people you know who might be willing to have a collection box in their business

· Approaching local businesses to display the boxes and collect loose change from their customers

· Building and maintaining relationships with your box holders to inspire loyalty and encourage people to continue giving year after year

· Collecting the boxes in your area as and when required and taking to your YBTC contact

We are looking for people who are:

· Have a warm, friendly and confident outlook

· Willing to learn about the work of YBTC

· Able to communicate with a range of different groups

· Are creative and imaginative – spotting opportunities to boost your distribution

· Are well organised and enjoy meeting new people

· Reliable and able to commit to agreed requirements

We can offer you:

· Induction and ongoing training

· Ongoing support and supervision in your role

· The opportunity to learn new skills

· YBTC commitment to health and safety

Founded in 2003 and originally named Andrea’s Gift and later Brain Tumour Research and Support

Across Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) is Yorkshire and Humber’s leading

brain tumour charity. Offering practical, financial and emotional support to both adult and child

brain tumour patients, together with their families.

We fund brain tumour research in Yorkshire; we hope this research, dedicated to identifying new

approaches to the discovery and treatment of brain tumours, will improve outcomes for patients.

At YBTC we are a small team who are growing to meet the needs of those affected by a brain

tumour in Yorkshire. Around 15 new cases of primary brain tumour are diagnosed in the region

every week.

Our charity values are Integrity, Compassion, Community, & Ambition.

Our Vision/Mission

To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire, through local support and

research.

We appreciate any volunteering help that you can offer YBTC and want to make sure that our

volunteers have a positive experience with us. We pledge to support you as much as we can.

We want to ensure that volunteering with us does not feel too daunting, so the exact tasks might

vary depending on your circumstances. However, some typical tasks may include:

· Asking people you know who might be willing to have a collection box in their business

· Approaching local businesses to display the boxes and collect loose change from their customers

· Building and maintaining relationships with your box holders to inspire loyalty and encourage people to continue giving year after year

· Collecting the boxes in your area as and when required and taking to your YBTC contact

We are looking for people who are:

· Have a warm, friendly and confident outlook

· Willing to learn about the work of YBTC

· Able to communicate with a range of different groups

· Are creative and imaginative – spotting opportunities to boost your distribution

· Are well organised and enjoy meeting new people

· Reliable and able to commit to agreed requirements

We can offer you:

· Induction and ongoing training

· Ongoing support and supervision in your role

· The opportunity to learn new skills

· YBTC commitment to health and safety

Founded in 2003 and originally named Andrea’s Gift and later Brain Tumour Research and Support

Across Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) is Yorkshire and Humber’s leading

brain tumour charity. Offering practical, financial and emotional support to both adult and child

brain tumour patients, together with their families.

We fund brain tumour research in Yorkshire; we hope this research, dedicated to identifying new

approaches to the discovery and treatment of brain tumours, will improve outcomes for patients.

At YBTC we are a small team who are growing to meet the needs of those affected by a brain

tumour in Yorkshire. Around 15 new cases of primary brain tumour are diagnosed in the region

every week.

Our charity values are Integrity, Compassion, Community, & Ambition.

Our Vision/Mission

To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire, through local support and

research.

Do you have 5 hours to spare each week?

Want to help those with challenges in their lives?

We are looking for Client Support Volunteers to assist in the Garden alongside our horticulturists in the supervision of our adult clients and teenagers with a variety of disabilities.

Our volunteers work in the garden with clients, helping them with various tasks such as planting, harvesting, pruning and mowing to name a few, under the guidance of our team of horticulturists. 

As well as general gardening work you will be assisting our clients, both children and adults with the opportunity to achieve a qualification in horticulture.

Other tasks our volunteers help with include general garden maintenance, DIY tasks or craft/cookery activities.

No gardening experience is required, just the ability to get along with others and muck in! This can be a great stepping stone to further education or work opportunities.

At present, we are looking for Volunteers who can offer a regular weekly commitment.

Lived Experience Board Member (Advisory Role)

About the Role
At Living Reasons, we believe that real change comes from lived experience. To make sure everything we do is relevant, effective, and grounded in the realities of people’s lives, we are creating a Lived Experience Advisory Board.

This is a non-executive, advisory role. Board members do not carry trustee responsibilities but instead play a vital part in shaping and guiding the organisation. The insights and perspectives of our board members will directly inform the decisions of our trustees, helping us stay focused on what truly matters to the people we support.

How the Board Works

• The board is made up of different lived experience groups, each focusing on particular areas.

• Members can meet in their groups to share experiences, support one another, and identify key issues.

• Groups can also set up their own sub-groups where needed.

• Each group decides what information it wants to share with Living Reasons — members are always in control of their voice.

• From time to time, the full board meets together to discuss wider themes, shared experiences, and how these can guide the direction of Living Reasons.

What You’ll Do

• Share your lived experience in a safe, respectful group setting.

• Take part in discussions, focus groups, and community support activities.

• Contribute to shaping campaigns, policies, and services.

• Review materials, research, and proposals and give feedback to help the organisation grow.

• Be part of a supportive community that uses lived experience to drive meaningful change.

Who We’re Looking For

• People with lived experience of wheel chair use, either:

  • through your own personal experience, or

  • as a supporter, caregiver, guardian, or family member.

We will keep these as two separate groups (personal experience, and supporter/caregiver) so that conversations can be open and relevant to each perspective.

Why Join?

• Your experience will drive real change — in Living Reasons and in wider society.

• You’ll be part of a community where lived experience is valued, respected, and heard.

• You’ll have a direct line to trustees and a say in how resources, campaigns, and priorities are shaped.

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

About the Role

At Living Reasons, we want to change the face of fundraising and entertainment events. We’re not interested in repeating outdated models — instead, we want to create immersive, innovative, and accessible experiences that engage supporters in brand new ways.

The Events & Entertainments Lead will play a key role in making this vision a reality. You’ll oversee events and entertainment coordinators working on specific projects, ensuring events are well-planned, properly funded, safe, and accessible to all. At the same time, you’ll work with the wider team to design bold, creative, and inclusive experiences — from accessibility-led escape rooms to sensory events, to interactive challenges inspired by shows like The Traitors.

This role is about big thinking, imagination, and leadership. It’s perfect for someone who wants to push boundaries and reimagine what fundraising and entertainment events can look like.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and support Events & Entertainments Coordinators delivering specific projects.

• Ensure all events are effectively planned and funded, including managing:

  • Health & Safety requirements

  • Insurance needs

  • Accessibility and inclusivity considerations

• Work with the wider Events, Entertainments & Challenges team to design new, engaging opportunities for supporters.

• Develop immersive, creative experiences that break the mould of traditional fundraising events.

• Build and lead a team of creative volunteers, supporting them to contribute ideas and take ownership of projects.

• Help ensure events raise vital funds to support Living Reasons’ work, while also being enjoyable, inclusive, and meaningful for all participants.

What We’re Looking For

• A creative thinker who sees beyond traditional event formats.

• Strong organisational and planning skills.

• Ability to lead and inspire a team of coordinators and volunteers.

• Confidence in problem-solving and thinking outside the box.

• A commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in every project.

• Enthusiasm for fundraising and creating unique supporter experiences.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to develop and showcase leadership, event management, and creative design skills.

• Experience in building and leading a team of passionate volunteers.

• The opportunity to test bold ideas and bring innovative events to life.

• The knowledge that your creativity is directly supporting meaningful change.

• A supportive, collaborative environment where your ideas are valued.

Interested?
If you’re excited about reimagining events and entertainment, we’d love to hear from you. Bring your ideas, your energy, and your creativity — and let’s design the future of events together.